Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and the Ann Thompson-owned stallion Balou du Reventon tonight confirmed their position as one of the top combinations in world Show Jumping, with a stunning performance which saw them win the €300,000 Longines Global Champions Tour five-star Grand Prix at Chantilly in France.

Last Friday, the Ukrainian show jumping team contested a Tokyo 2020 qualifier in Budapest and amassed a total of 41 faults.

Last Sunday’s nations cup in Rotterdam did not involve the Irish team but the result will have a bearing on the country’s league standing up to and including the Aga Khan contest at Dublin Horse Show which is now just over six weeks away.

The Republic of Ireland U19s got their UEFA Championship qualification hopes back on track last night with a 3-1 victory over Serbia and Montenegro in Knokke, Belgium.